Projectile Trap Material With Improved Trapping Behavior For Projectiles

ABSTRACT

A projectile trap composition comprising 10% to 100% by weight of metallocene polyolefin wax and/or its derivatives. The projectile trap composition of the present invention has high permeability for projectiles with self-healing behavior and it effects the complete deceleration of impacting projectiles in a system of different plates and in some instances additionally a section of projectile trap composition granules.

The present invention relates to a projectile trap composition which isused for decelerating and trapping projectiles in bullet-trappingdevices, or which is used directly, in the form of self-supportingshaped articles, for decelerating and trapping projectiles.

Projectile trap compositions used for lining bullet traps or entireshooting ranges should satisfy several conditions at one and the sametime. First, they have to be capable of trapping projectiles veryresiliently, i.e., of absorbing the kinetic energy of the projectilesand, in the process, of decelerating the projectiles such that theconstruction or bullet trap to the rear of the projectile trapcomposition is not damaged, and that ricochets are virtually impossible.Since the firing of heavy metal projectiles at materials can cause therelease of noxiants in the form of vapors and dusts due to abrasionand/or fragmentation of the heavy metal projectiles, the use of specialmaterials shall ideally prevent the release of heavy metals and bind aseffectively as possible the emissions which are inherently formednonetheless. Furthermore, the projectile trap composition shallwithstand the projectile firing for a very long period before it has tobe replaced. Furthermore, the compositions used shall be simple torecycle so that they may also be used again. This also includes therecycling of the lead of the projectiles, which have to be simple toseparate from the projectile trap composition.

Projectile trap compositions are known that consist of elastomeric,possibly multilayered materials. Elastomeric materials have thedisadvantage that, at certain calibers they are prone to ricochets inthe direction of the shooter because of their high elasticity and thatthe structure of a damaged rubber is permanently destroyed under ongoingfiring, so that the composition becomes inutile at every bullet entrypoint and has to be replaced relatively quickly.

DE 32 12 781 discloses bullet trap media composed of waste rubbergranules bound with a synthetic resin. DE 34 42 984 discloses projectiletrap materials composed of rubber, regenerated rubber and elastomers.

Hot-melt compositions are known which have an inherent sag resistance,so that the composition remains without support, as a coating or shapedarticle, in or on the bullet trap without flowing. With the hot-meltcompositions, the tunnel formed by an incoming bullet reseals as aresult of the heat evolved as the bullet penetrates, which ensures anability to withstand frequent shooting. Mixtures of various polymers arenecessary for this. EP 0369401 describes devices composed ofthermoplastic material and mixtures with plasticizers wherein the spentmaterial of the device is cleaned/purified by melting. EP 0 518 330describes specific compositions of atactic polypropylene,polyisobutylene and a hydrocarbon resin, or natural resin. Finally, DE 4234 457 describes mixtures of amorphous polyolefin (APO) copolymer,terpene resin and polyisobutylene. However, these mixtures are so softthat they need sheet metal at the back wall for complete deceleration ofthe projectiles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide projectile trapcompositions which can be used as effective projectile trap compositionshaving defined properties even without admixture with resins and othermaterials. Even as pure materials, the compositions shall make itpossible, depending on their molecular constitution, to actualizedifferences in the deceleration behavior of projectiles in a specificmanner, so that not only the use as shaped articles at the front end ofthe bullet-trapping systems shall be possible and for this use goodprojectile-trapping properties, such as automatic closure of the bullettunnel, safeness from ricochets, ability to withstand frequent shooting,good ability to retain noxiants and simple recyclability shall beactualizable, but there should also be available materials suitable forcompletely stopping the projectiles in shaped articles at the back ofthe bullet-trapping systems.

We have found that this object is achieved, surprisingly, by aprojectile trap composition comprising 10% to 100% by weight ofmetallocene polyolefin wax and/or its derivatives. The projectile trapcomposition of the present invention has high permeability forprojectiles with self-healing behavior and it effects the completedeceleration of impacting projectiles in a system of different platesand in some instances additionally a section of projectile trapcomposition granules.

The metallocene polyolefin waxes in the projectile trap composition ofthe present invention are by definition waxes produced from olefins,preferably from propylene, by polymerization in the presence of ametallocene catalyst. The synthesis of the metallocene polyolefin waxescan be carried out under a pressure of 0.1 to 10 MPa in the gas phase orin suspension or in solution in a suitable suspending/solvent medium inaccordance with known technologies. The metallocene polyolefin waxes inthe projectile trap composition of the present invention are not typicalwaxes, which are characterized by properties such as firm and brittle,coarsely to finely crystalline, translucent to opaque and kneadable at20° C. By contrast, the metallocene polyolefin waxes in the projectiletrap composition of the present invention have elastic, nonbrittleproperties, have largely amorphous characteristics, and are transparentto translucent.

The projectile trap composition of the present invention surprisinglyhas excellent temperature properties which permit use in outdoorshooting ranges, particularly at low temperatures. The composition isalso of high impact strength and toughness. The high intrinsicelasticity of the composition means that the projectiles are trappedwithout being significantly destroyed. This holds even for bulletshaving man-stopping power, which lead to appreciable damage in the frontplate in the case of other projectile trap compositions which are not inaccordance with the present invention.

Any release of noxiants by deceleration taking place sufficiently slowlythat the minimal heating effect does not cause any lead to becomevaporized is avoided. Noxiants released by munitions nonetheless, forexample as a result of abrasion and/or fragmentation of the heavy metalprojectiles, are physically held back by retention in the elasticmaterial and by absorption in the composition softened by incomingprojectiles, so that no noxiants pass into the materials/air adjacent tothe bullet-trapping system. The projectile trap composition of thepresent invention is therefore also notable for high environmentalfriendliness.

The heat evolved as a fired projectile enters causes the composition tomelt in the immediate vicinity of the projectile, as a result of whichthe projectile tunnel reseals substantially automatically. Yet shapedarticles composed of the projectile trap composition of the presentinvention retain their outer geometry and dimensional stability, sincethe melting only extends to the immediate vicinity of the firedprojectile. The elasticity of the projectile trap composition of thepresent invention is such that ricochets, including ricochets in thedirection of the shooter, can be avoided with almost complete certainty.

The projectile trap composition can be recycled by melting the materialand separating the projectiles by sedimentation or/and filtration. Thecollected projectiles can thus be sent to a recycling operation for theheavy metals present. The cleaned/purified melt of the projectile trapcompositions can then be recast in plates and used afresh as aprojectile trap composition.

The metallocene polyolefin wax in the projectile trap composition of thepresent invention preferably has a drop point in the range between 70and 160° C. The viscosity of the melt is in the range between 20 and 40000 mPa·s at a temperature of 170° C.

Particularly advantageous properties were found when the metallocenepolyolefin wax is a propylene wax.

In a preferred development of the invention, the metallocene polyolefinwax consists of a copolymer of propylene and ethylene which has a droppoint in the temperature range between 80 and 130° C. and a meltviscosity at 170° C. in the range from 50 to 30 000 mPa·s.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the projectile trapcomposition comprises

-   a) metallocene polyolefin wax and/or derivatives thereof, preferably    metallocene polypropylene wax,-   b) optionally up to 90% by weight of a further wax or resin,-   c) optionally up to 5% by weight of an antioxidant,-   d) optionally up to 5% by weight of a light stabilizer,-   e) optionally up to 50% by weight of a flame retardant,-   f) optionally up to 50% by weight of a pulverulent filler which is    insoluble in the metallocene polyolefin wax, and-   g) optionally up to 10% by weight of a colorant, for example a    pigment or a soluble dye.

The metallocene polyolefin waxes used are preferably homopolymers ofpropylene or copolymers of propylene with ethylene or with one or more1-olefins. 1-Olefins used are preferably linear or branched olefinshaving 4 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably 4 to 6 carbon atoms.Examples thereof are 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene or 1-octadecene, andalso styrene. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention,the metallocene polyolefin waxes are homopolymers of propylene. In afurther particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, themetallocene polyolefin waxes are copolymers of propylene with ethylene.In the copolymers formed from propylene, preferably 70% to 99.9% byweight and more preferably 80% to 99% by weight of the structural unitsare derived from propylene.

Particularly useful metallocene polyolefin waxes have a drop point inthe temperature range between 70 and 160° C., preferably between 80 and130° C., a melt viscosity at 170° C. between 20 and 40 000 mPa·s,preferably between 50 and 30 000 mPa·s and most preferably in the rangefrom 100 to 7000 mPa·s, and a density at 20° C. between 0.85 and 0.98g/cm³ and preferably between 0.87 and 0.94 g/cm³. The metallocenepolyolefin waxes in the projectile trap composition of the presentinvention have a minimum tensile strength of 4 N/mm² coupled with astrain at break of at least 10%. They are opaque or else translucent totransparent.

When the metallocene polyolefin waxes are not made into bullet-trappingsystems, it is also possible to use intermediate articles such asplates, sheets, films, granules or profiles composed of the metallocenepolyolefin waxes.

Metallocene catalysts for preparing the polyolefin waxes are chiral ornonchiral transition metal compounds of the formula M1Lx. The transitionmetal compound M1Lx comprises at least one central metal atom M1 towhich at least one π-ligand, for example a cyclopentadienyl ligand, isattached. Substituents, for example halogen, alkyl, alkoxy or arylgroups, may additionally be attached to the central metal atom M1. M1 ispreferably an element of main group III, IV, V or VI of the periodictable, such as Ti, Zr or Hf. Cyclopentadienyl ligand is to be understoodas referring to unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl radicals and substitutedcyclopentadienyl radicals such as methylcyclopentadienyl, indenyl,2-methylindenyl, 2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl, tetrahydroindenyl oroctahydrofluorenyl radicals. The π-ligands can be bridged or unbridged,in which case simple and multiple bridging systems—including via ringsystems—are possible. The term metallocene also comprises compoundshaving more than one metallocene fragment, known as multinuclearmetallocenes. These may have any desired substitution patterns andbridging variants. The individual metallocene fragments of suchmultinuclear metallocenes can be of the same type or be different fromone another. Examples of such multinuclear metallocenes are described inEP-632 063 for example.

Examples of general structural formulae of metallocenes and of theiractivation by means of a cocatalyst are given in EP-571 882 forinstance.

Metallocene polyolefin waxes which have been modified to be polar arealso useful for the projectile trap composition of the presentinvention.

Modification of metallocene polyolefin waxes can be accomplished byattaching organic or inorganic groups containing 0 to 500 carbon atomsand 0 to 200 heteroatoms, the heteroatoms comprising oxygen, phosphorus,sulfur, silicon, halogens and nitrogen in the form of tertiary nitrogen.

The polar modification of these metallocene polyolefin waxes can also beeffected by oxidation with oxygen or oxygen-containing gases below orabove the melting point. Preferably, the wax is oxidized in its moltenstate at temperatures between the melting point of the wax and 200° C.by passing oxygen or oxygen-containing gases, preferably air, throughthe liquid melt. The waxes modified by oxidation have acid numbersbetween 0.1 and 100 mg KOH/g, preferably between 1 and 30 mg KOH/g, meltviscosities, measured at 170° C., in the range from 5 to 10 000 mPa·sand preferably in the range from 20 to 5000 mPa·s, and drop points inthe temperature range from 80 to 160° C.

Derivatives of such oxidates obtainable for instance by esterificationof the oxidates with mono- or polyhydric aliphatic or aromatic alcohols,for example ethanol, propanols, butanols, ethanediol, butanediols,glycerol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol or benzyl alcohol, arealso useful. Similarly, partial esters can be further derivatized, forinstance by esterification with acid components such as acrylic acid ormethacrylic acid.

A further way of effecting polar modification consists in reacting themetallocene polyolefin wax with alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acidsor derivatives thereof, in the presence or absence of a free-radicalinitiator. Examples of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids are acrylicacid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid and also maleic acid. Examples ofderivatives of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids are their esters oramides/anhydrides, for example alkyl acrylates, acrylamides, mono- ordiesters of maleic acid, maleic anhydride or amides of maleic acid suchas maleimide or N-alkyl-substituted maleimides. Mixtures of thesecompounds can also be used. Maleic acid and its descendents arepreferred and maleic anhydride is particularly preferred. Theα,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids/derivatives thereof are used in anamount of 0.1% to 20% by weight, based on metallocene polyolefin waxused. The preparation of such free-radically produced polar reactionproducts is known and is described in EP 0 941 257 for example. The byreaction of metallocene polyolefin waxes with α,β-unsaturated carboxylicacids and derivatives thereof have melt viscosities, measured at 170° C.in the range from 5 to 10 000 mPa·s, preferably in the range from 10 to5000 mPa·s, saponification numbers from 0.1 to 100 mg KOH/g, preferably2 to 80 mg KOH/g, and drop points in the temperature range from 80 to160° C., preferably in the range from 100 to 155° C.

In a preferred embodiment, the material in the projectile trapcomposition of the present invention consists exclusively of one or moremetallocene polyolefin waxes and/or derivatives thereof.

In a further preferred embodiment, the material in the projectile trapcomposition of the present invention consists of one or more metallocenepolyolefin waxes and/or derivatives thereof and further substances. Whenfurther substances are present in this material, the proportion of theentire material which is accounted for by one or more metallocenepolyolefin waxes and/or derivatives thereof is preferably in the rangefrom 0.1% to 100% by weight, more preferably in the range from 50% to100% by weight and most preferably in the range from 80% to 100% byweight.

If necessary, the projectile trap composition may also comprise otherwaxes from the group consisting of natural waxes, partly synthetic waxesand wholly synthetic waxes. Suitable waxes have a melting point between40 and 160° C., preferably 80 to 140° C., and a melt viscosity in therange from 20 to 10 000 mPa·s and preferably in the range from 20 to6000 mPa·s. Preferred representatives of such waxes are carnauba waxes,candelilla waxes, beeswax, montan waxes, paraffins, polyolefin waxesprepared using Ziegler catalysts, and Fischer-Tropsch waxes.

When waxes other than metallocene polyolefin waxes or resins areincluded in the projectile trap composition of the present invention,they together comprise up to 90% by weight and preferably from 0% to 50%by weight of the total weight of the projectile trap composition.

Similarly, resins of natural or synthetic origin can be included in themetallocene polyolefin wax projectile trap composition. Suitable resinsmelt in the temperature range from 40 to 200° C. and in the molten statehave a melt viscosity of 10 up to 1000 mPa·s. Preferred representativesare hydrocarbon resins, resins based on abietic acid, tree resins andalso synthetic resins such as acrylic resins, ethylene-vinyl acetateresins, polycyclopentadiene resins and also water-soluble resins such asethylene oxide adducts or polyvinyl alcohols.

The projectile trap composition may also comprise antioxidants. Theseare preferably selected from the group consisting of phenols andphosphorus compounds.

When antioxidants are included in the projectile trap composition, theycomprise up to 10% by weight and preferably from 0.3% to 3% by weight ofthe entire projectile trap composition.

The projectile trap composition may also comprise light stabilizers.These are preferably selected from the group of hindered amine lightstabilizers (HALSs).

When light stabilizers are included in the projectile trap composition,they comprise up to 10% by weight and preferably from 0.1% to 3% byweight of the entire projectile trap composition.

The projectile trap composition may also comprise flame retardants. Whenflame retardants are included in the projectile trap composition, theycomprise up to 50% by weight and preferably from 5% to 25% by weight ofthe entire projectile trap composition.

The projectile trap composition may also comprise pulverulent fillerswhich are insoluble in the metallocene polyolefin wax. These arepreferably selected from the group consisting of oxides, silicates, suchas sand, silica and clays, carbonates, such as lime, and organic fillershaving a decomposition temperature above 180° C. and a melting pointabove 160° C. such as for example wood meal, polystyrene, polyamide andpolytetra-fluoroethylene (PTFE).

When such fillers are included in the projectile trap composition theycomprise up to 50% by weight and preferably from 10% to 45% by weight ofthe entire projectile trap composition.

The projectile trap composition may also comprise colorants such as forexample pigments or soluble dyes. These are preferably selected from thegroup consisting of organic and inorganic pigments and also oleo dyes.

When colorants are included in the projectile trap composition theycomprise up to 5% by weight and preferably from 0.1% to 3% by weight ofthe entire projectile trap composition.

The examples which follow illustrate the invention.

EXAMPLES

Examples of metallocene polyolefin waxes which are advantageously usefulin the projectile trap composition of the present invention:

Metallocene Polypropylene Waxes

TP Licocene® PP 1302 polypropylene wax (characterized by a meltviscosity of 200 mPa·s at 170° C. and a drop point of about 90° C.)TP Licocene® PP 1502 polypropylene wax (characterized by a meltviscosity of 1800 mPa·s at 170° C. and a drop point of about 90° C.)TP Licocene® PP 1602 polypropylene wax (characterized by a meltviscosity of 7000 mPa·s at 170° C. and a drop point of about 90° C.)TP Licocene® PP 2602 polypropylene wax (characterized by a meltviscosity of 6000 mPa·s at 170° C. and a drop point of about 100° C.)TP Licocene® PP 3502 polypropylene wax (characterized by a meltviscosity of 1800 mPa·s at 170° C. and a drop point of about 110° C.)TP Licocene® PP MA 1332 maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene wax(characterized by a melt viscosity of 300 mPa·s at 170° C. and a droppoint of about 85° C. and an acid number of 18 mg KOH/g)

The aforementioned waxes are manufactured by Clariant ProdukteDeutschland GmbH.

Example 1

A projectile trap composition was prepared by casting plates of TPLicocene® PP 1602. Plate dimensions were about 70×70×5 cm.

The material is characterized by a melt viscosity of 7000 mPa·s at 170°C. and a drop point of about 90° C.

The shaped projectile trap composition articles obtained exhibit theexpected good impact strength and toughness when tested as pure materialand without admixture with other materials.

Mechanical tests on standardized test specimens gave the followingmeasurements:

ISO 527 tensile modulus of elasticity: 50 MPa ISO 527 stress at yield: 4MPa ISO 527 strain at yield:  17% ISO 527 stress at break: 4 MPa ISO 527strain at break: 620% Ball compression hardness (10 kg, 5 mm, 5 min): 5MPa Flow hardness: 510 bar Shore hardness (ISO 868): D 25

Example 2

A projectile trap composition was prepared by casting plates of TPLicocene® PP 2602. Plate dimensions were about 70×70×5 cm.

The material is characterized by a melt viscosity of 6000 mPa·s at 170°C. and a drop point of about 100° C.

The shaped projectile trap composition articles obtained exhibit theexpected good impact strength and toughness when tested as pure materialand without admixture with other materials.

Mechanical tests on standardized test specimens gave the followingmeasurements:

ISO 527 tensile modulus of elasticity: 150 MPa ISO 527 stress at yield:8 MPa ISO 527 strain at yield:  16% ISO 527 stress at break: 9 MPa ISO527 strain at break: 690% Ball compression hardness (10 kg, 5 mm, 5min): 9 MPa Flow hardness: 970 bar Shore hardness (ISO 868): D 40

Example 3

A projectile trap composition was prepared by casting plates of TPLicocene® PP 1502. Plate dimensions were about 70×70×5 cm.

The material is characterized by a melt viscosity of 1800 mPa·s at 170°C. and a drop point of about 90° C.

The shaped projectile trap composition articles obtained exhibit goodimpact strength and toughness.

Example 4

A multilayered bullet-trapping construction was prepared to consist ofplates of differently decelerating Licocene® types, for exampleLicocene® PP 1502 and Licocene® PP 1602.

One, two or more Licocene® PP 1602 plates 3 to 6 cm in thickness wereused depending on the caliber to decelerate the impacting projectiles.

Depending on the caliber used, the projectiles penetrate through acertain number of plates, are decelerated in the process and, beforepenetrating into the next plate, come down between the plates. ALicocene® PP 1502 plate 6 cm in thickness was used as backstop for thesystem to absorb the left-over kinetic energy and achieve ultimatedeceleration of the projectiles, if they get that far.

The embodiment of the bullet-trapping construction according to Example4 is more particularly elucidated with reference to the drawing. FIG. 1shows the embodiment of the invention according to Example 4 inschematic depiction and viewed from the side with two or more, in thiscase three, plates arranged one behind the other.

Example 5

A bullet-trapping construction was prepared similarly to Example 4 usingLicocene® granules between two Licocene® plates about 5 to 6 cm inthickness in order that suitable bullet-trapping systems may be testedfor various calibers over a variable length of the deceleration section.A Licocene® PP 1602 plate was followed by a 20 to 50 cm length of apacking composed of Licocene® PP 1602 granules. A Licocene® PP 1502plate 6 cm in thickness was used as backstop to stop any projectileswhich still had some kinetic energy left after passing through thegranular section.

The embodiment of the bullet-trapping construction according to Example5 is more particularly elucidated with reference to the drawing. FIG. 2shows the embodiment according to Example 5 in schematic depictionviewed from the side with two plates between which a defined section ispacked with granules.

Example 6 Apparatus with Additional Metal Backstop

A bullet-trapping construction utilizing one to two Licocene® PP 1602plates 6 cm in thickness was used similarly to Example 4 to decelerateimpacting projectiles. The back disk of the system was a Licocene® PP1502 plate 6 cm in thickness, the rear side of which was backstoppedwith a piece of sheet steel. The intention with this was to ensure thatany left-over kinetic energy is absorbed, and final deceleration of theprojectiles within the bullet-trapping construction is achieved, evenwhen very different calibers are used.

The embodiment of the bullet-trapping construction according to Example6 is more particularly elucidated with reference to the drawing. FIG. 3shows the embodiment according to Example 6 in schematic depictionviewed from the side, comprising three successive plates and a piece ofsheet steel as backstop.

Example 7

After the bullet-trapping construction has been loaded with manyprojectiles as a result of shooting, the material is recycled byseparating the granules from the projectile material by slurrying inwater. In the process, the Licocene® floats away on the water, since ithas a lower density than water. The projectiles settle out and areseparated off and are similarly sent for recycling. The Licocene® iseither used again as granules.

Example 8

After the bullet-trapping construction has been loaded with manyprojectiles as a result of shooting, the material is recycled by meltingthe plates and the granules, unless separated off as described inExample 6, and separating off the projectiles by filtration. Theprojectiles are thus separated off and sent for recycling. The moltenLicocene® is recast into plates or granulated and can thus be used againfor constructing the bullet trap.

1. A projectile trap composition for trapping fired projectiles,comprising 10% to 100% by weight of a metallocene polyolefin wax, basedon the total weight of the projectile trap composition.
 2. Theprojectile trap composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein themetallocene polyolefin wax is a homopolymer of propylene or a copolymerof propylene with ethylene or with one or more 1-olefins having 4 to 18carbon atoms.
 3. The projectile trap composition as claimed in claim 1,further comprising from 0% to 90% by weight of an additive, auxiliarymaterial or mixture thereof.
 4. The projectile trap composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the metallocene polyolefin wax is present inan amount ranging from 90% to 100% by weight.
 5. The projectile trapcomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metallocene polyolefinwax has a drop point in the temperature range between 80 and 150° C. anda melt viscosity in the range from 20 to 40 000 mPa·s, measured at 170°C.
 6. The projectile trap composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein themetallocene polyolefin wax has a drop point in the temperature rangebetween 85 and 115° C. and a melt viscosity in the range from 100 to7000 mPa·s, measured at 170° C.
 7. The projectile trap composition asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising other waxes, resins,antioxidants, light stabilizers, flame retardants, fillers, pigments ordyes.
 8. The projectile trap composition as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe metallocene polyolefin wax is at least partially functionalized. 9.The projectile trap composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein themetallocene polyolefin wax is at least partially grafted with maleicanhydride.
 10. The projectile trap composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein the metallocene polyolefin wax is at least partially crosslinkedvia functional groups.
 11. A front disk in bullet-trapping system or asafety construction against ricochets, including ricochets in thedirection of the shooter comprising a projectile trap composition asclaimed in claim
 1. 12. A trapping material for fired projectiles whichhas improved ability to retain harmful materials comprising a projectiletrap composition as claimed in claim
 1. 13. A material for completelystopping fired projectiles in the rearward region of bullet-trappingsystem comprising a projectile trap composition as claimed in claim 1.14. A method of recycling a projectile trap composition as claimed inclaim 1, comprising the step of separating the projectile trapcomposition being from a decelerated projectile by slurrying in water orby melting and filtering.
 15. The projectile trap composition as claimedin claim 1, wherein the metallocene polyolefin wax is at least partiallyfunctionalized by oxidation or by functionalization withalpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids.